Delray Beach seeks changes to districts

Some changes will be made within Delray Beach's five historic districts.

Properties in the Nassau Park, Marina, Del-Ida, Old School Square and West Settlers historic districts have all been resurveyed, said Amy Alvarez, the city's historic preservation planner.

Recommendations from the survey of the Marina Historic District, completed in June, called for moving a portion of the 300 block of Southeast Seventh Avenue, creating a smaller boundary, she said.

"That increases the historical building stock," she said.

For the West Settlers district, resurveyed in January, recommendations were made to remove the Atlantic Grove development.

"Any historic fabric that was there has been gone. The removal will prove a more cohesive district," Alvarez said.

A recommendation for the Marina, Nassau Park, Del-Ida and Old School Square districts is applying to be listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The city will start the application process in a few months, she said. Currently, two sites within Delray's historic districts appear on the list: Old School Square and the Sundy House.

"We're hoping to change that," Alvarez said. "There are recommendations that the Spady House and La France Apartments be listed too. ... People not only come for the beaches, but come to see the historical places. It helps make Delray what it is."

Also sought for all the historic districts is to expand the period of significance, which is the important time frame. The structures built in the districts are at least 50 years old.

"The recommendation is to expand to include newer resources," she said.

The time period would be extended to between 1964 and 1970, depending on the district.

"Each period has a justification for why it's expanding. West Settlers extended to 1970 because of the end of segregation in Delray," Alvarez said.

The city has completed public hearings on four of the districts. Hearings for the West Settlers district begin this month, Alvarez said.

Changing property classifications in a historic district should be complete by May 5, she said. By June or July, Alvarez hopes to get the application for the National Register for the Marina district in "and go from there."

"We want to create awareness, preservation and protection of our resources," she said.

In addition, the city is getting ready to install 10 historical markers, two in each of the five districts, also this month. The markers will include the district's name along with the history of the area, Alvarez said.

The city will conduct a mobile presentation on May 8, using a city bus, starting at the Delray Beach Historical Society in the morning and going to each district and explaining their history.

"[The historical markers] will create more awareness for the district," Alvarez said.

Dorothy Patterson, archivist with the historical society, said the markers provide an important function and "make it more obvious that this is a historic district."

"They are very important because when someone is walking down the street or walking to an event, they can read a little bit about the history they are standing in," Patterson said. "They are a great way to learn about history."